[Leadership Rewind] David Risher: Lyft’s CEO is Driving Change – and Always Has

In this episode: We first met Lyft CEO David Risher one year ago when he joined us for a free-wheeling discussion about growing and sustaining a culture of play in corporate America. Listen in as he reveals that his time running an international nonprofit was great preparation for leading the global ride share company – and try to guess which one he declares more playful!

As we step into the expected challenges of 2025, examples of valiant and generous leadership will be more needed than ever. No better way to start than with a CEO who regularly swaps the proverbial drivers seat for the real one, getting behind the wheel to learn about the job from driver and customer perspective.

Listen in as Kristine and David discuss:

• How David regularly drives for Lyft to learn, not to earn, as he connects with his riders. 
• The biggest surprise of being the CEO of Lyft. 
• The similarities and differences of being the CEO in the nonprofit social sector versus the corporate sector. 
• Balancing seriousness and playfulness when handling large-scale problems. 
• The surprising correlation between Lyft rides and ice cream (including the positive impact it has on tipping). 
• How Lyft is helping to fight the loneliness epidemic. 

Key Takeaways:

• Being CEO is about the same thing no matter the size and scope of your organization. It is all about having a big idea, building your team, solving hard problems, improving people’s lives, and working with purpose. 
• Lyft has many programs that are helping to benefit society and strengthen its social mission. Transportation is key to so many aspects of living and societal change. 
• What matters most is doing the right thing for the world.  
• Reading is a superpower! It helps us, as humans, to connect and share knowledge across time and space. 

"It’s really important that you live your life to do the right thing, whatever that looks like." — David Risher

 

About David Risher: David Risher is the CEO of Lyft, Inc., leading efforts to enhance the lives of riders and drivers. Appointed in March 2023, he has served on Lyft's Board since 2021. With over three decades of technology and leadership experience, David co-founded Worldreader in 2009, helping 21 million people read and serving as its CEO until 2023. He remains on the Worldreader Board as Founding Chair. David was previously Senior VP at Amazon, contributing to $4 billion in sales, and a General Manager at Microsoft. He holds a B.A. from Princeton, an M.B.A. from Harvard, and an honorary doctorate from Wilson College. He also serves on various boards of private and non-profit organizations.

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